After a very late previous night we all woke up in time for our final ride of the weekend.It was quite a task waking up in the morning,but we all did.It was a beautiful day,clear blue skies and not as cold as the day before.It was perfect weather for a relatively easy ride on some trails around coonoor.These trails pass through private property/estates,and we are fortunate to get to ride them occasionally thanks to Jacob who being a local is known and people dont object-most of the time atleast.
The night before at the Coonoor Club was "Christmas Night",so we had taken a bunch of balloons off the walls just as we left to use it on the birthday boy on his ride the next day.The plan was to have him do the entire ride with the balloons tied to his helmet.Unfortunately with everyone nursing a hangover of varying degrees ,it was all forgotten until midway into the ride post a few pretty good climbs that got the mind and body working at 100 percent.
Sanjay rode my Orbea and was loving the feel of the dual suspension as we headed up the 3km tarmac climb into one of the trails.It was then onto the main road again for a bit and what followed was one of the most tricky trails there is.I have done it many times before with jacob but never with such a large crowd.Its purely singletrack,hill on one side and tea bushes below on the other,very very narrow.The recent rains meant the bushes were so thick that we all got our fair share of scratches inspite of full length jersey's and full finger gloves.
The visibility in some parts is not that great so i was keeping a careful watch for any Gaur in the area.I had a very close call with one on the same trail many months ago,extra cautious this time since its not very easy for 7 chaps with MTB's to turn around on a single track trail if a quick turnaround is required.Surprisingly the Gaur were not to be seen this time.
The heavily rutted trail required carrying the bikes in a couple of places.After stopping for a few pictures and some chit chat we proceeded out of the trail into some estate roads onto the Lambs rock road and made our way home.It was around 10.30 by the time we reached.It was a super enjoyable and fun 22km ride ,the mild temperatures and clear skies made the ride& views even more spectacular .
Sanjay being extra careful with the bike!
L-R.Arjun,Shantha,Prasanna,Sanjay,TV,Anand.
Back home there was one last thing to do before we wound up for the weekend.Remind Gopi that it was his birthday,hopefully an unforgettable one for him.....Cheers!
Dirty bikes and great sights,something we had in plenty all weekend.
The night before at the Coonoor Club was "Christmas Night",so we had taken a bunch of balloons off the walls just as we left to use it on the birthday boy on his ride the next day.The plan was to have him do the entire ride with the balloons tied to his helmet.Unfortunately with everyone nursing a hangover of varying degrees ,it was all forgotten until midway into the ride post a few pretty good climbs that got the mind and body working at 100 percent.
Sanjay rode my Orbea and was loving the feel of the dual suspension as we headed up the 3km tarmac climb into one of the trails.It was then onto the main road again for a bit and what followed was one of the most tricky trails there is.I have done it many times before with jacob but never with such a large crowd.Its purely singletrack,hill on one side and tea bushes below on the other,very very narrow.The recent rains meant the bushes were so thick that we all got our fair share of scratches inspite of full length jersey's and full finger gloves.
The heavily rutted trail required carrying the bikes in a couple of places.After stopping for a few pictures and some chit chat we proceeded out of the trail into some estate roads onto the Lambs rock road and made our way home.It was around 10.30 by the time we reached.It was a super enjoyable and fun 22km ride ,the mild temperatures and clear skies made the ride& views even more spectacular .
Sanjay being extra careful with the bike!
Back home there was one last thing to do before we wound up for the weekend.Remind Gopi that it was his birthday,hopefully an unforgettable one for him.....Cheers!
Dirty bikes and great sights,something we had in plenty all weekend.
excellent narration as usual...Was quite a memorable birthday, 2nd best to 1982, when I played 5 under the course in Ooty!!
ReplyDeleteI for sure wont forget this ride - accidently figured out how to do the disappearing act :))
ReplyDeleteSure would prefer this trail any givenday. very narrow and challenging and needs lot of attention!! Fore knowing the presence of Gaur's,have to be extra cautious! And Sanjay that was quite a hideaway :)
ReplyDelete@shantha....:)good one!
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